3 November 2008	ULTRA MARATONA DEGLI ETRUSCHI 100K - ITALY
	Stoke AC's Ultra Running specialist and Royal Marine Brian Cole produced an excellent performance at the 100k Ultra Maratona Degli Etruschi in Italy this weekend. Cole had been selected to run as a member of an England development squad in an event that this year was also hosting the IAU 100k World and European Championships. For those who don't know their kms, 100km is 62.1 miles! Preparation had been pretty good, including wins in the Boddington 50k trial and High Peak Challenge 40 mile races, and some great results in the North Staffs Cross Country league. The life changing, but happy event of the birth of baby daughter Sofia for Cole and his partner Clare only 2 weeks ago would definitely have some effect, but with Clare's blessing Cole was determined to prove that he is the top Ultra running Briton when the going really gets tough.  And this time it was really tough... A constantly undulating course and higher than usual temperatures faced the international field, and Cole's race plan was to run within himself in the early stages, but keep the other top British competitors within tracking distance. A fast time was never really an option in these conditions, and the early race leaders mainly comprised runners from the more acclimatised Mediterranean countries like Italy and Spain, with a smattering of the normally World leading Japanese and Russians for good measure. The top Italian Calcaterra eventually went on to win in an astonishing 6 hours 37 minutes.  At the 80km mark, Cole was nearly 5 minutes behind current UK 100k champion and experienced ultra competitor Dominic Croft. Feeling stronger as the race went on and passing many runners in the last 20km Cole eventually finished 25th overall in a time of just over 7 hours 30 minutes. He also passed Croft in the closing stages and thereby achieved his goal of finishing top Briton. Further good news was to come, as Cole took the hotly contested Ultra Maratona Degli Etruschi Open Race title.  Having gained yet more experience of this type of event, Cole can hopefully now look forward to a return to full International representation next year, and a well earned rest for the next couple of months! John Danahay